Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Architects & Technology. Part 1

The mode here is,
obviously, a brain-to-brain idea transformation. Starting with, understanding
client requirements from, told and untold hidden aspirations and to explain the
concept to the client and taking their consent. This goes on to explaining
design and construction details to general contractors.

The catch here, for an
architect, is the difference in languages various stakeholders understand. For
example, the client would surely understand design better if explained using 3D
View or a 3D Presentation, whereas, a general contractor would need
construction-calibre detailed drawings, when he builds the building on site. And
remember, we have just covered two stakeholders and their expectations from an
architect. There are definitely more consultants and individuals involved, in a
design and construction process of a building, who understand different
communication languages.

Taking client’s consent
for design concept is the first step of an architect, while working on any
design project. Here comes the role of 3D Views, as clients might belong to
various professions and have their own exposure, comfort zones and preferences.
These may lead to resistance, for brain-to-brain idea transformation, if
appropriate language is not adopted.

I still remember one of
our senior faculties, in architecture college way back in 2002-2003, explaining
the importance of creating hand drafted (using pencils and Rapidograph pens) perspective
view before important client meets. He was well experienced in creating such 3D
drafted views, for his clients, to explain idea of building scale, materials
used, open vs. built spaces, as well as, site surroundings with sciography (to
explain sun and shadow situations) for the designs. I was really impressed with
the quality and clarity with which it was drafted. It was very clearly focused
on “what needs to be shown”.

Revitalizing an abandon Architectural Heritage

Today, with the help of
virtual technology and various tools, architects can create 3D views faster and
better, provided the focus is not shifted from “what needs to be shown”. It has
become really easy to get carried away with the virtually generated model, as
getting infinite number of views from one design has become a child’s play. The
views generated without focus can mislead.

We need to focus our 3D
Renders to display the design and details that makes sense and appeals to the
clients. Also, while client meets the possibility of design changes,
improvements and additions are really high. Thus, while choosing our render
technology, we need to consider a time saving one that can reduce our work of
texturing or setting the scene for renders.

An appropriate technology
that saves on time and gives “what we want” is enough; we don’t really need an overly
done surreal glossy rendered images, do we?